The mind can forget... but the heart never!

Chapter 18

Bunny had been excited all day; the ball was about to begin. Her mother helped her put her hair up and put on the dress. Ikuko was as nervous as her daughter. Mamoru had said he would pick her up around 4 p.m., so Bunny had about half an hour left. Ikuko looked at her daughter proudly; she suddenly looked so grown-up. "Bunny, please close your eyes," she said to her. Bunny didn't know what her mother had in mind, but she did as she was asked. Ikuko took a small jewelry box from the hallway and placed it on Bunny's lap. "Open it."

Bunny opened her eyes and looked at the box. "Is this for me?" Her mother nodded happily.

Slowly, Bunny lifted the lid and held her breath for a moment. Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a heart pendant, matching earrings, and a bracelet. "Mama, this is beautiful. Thank you." Ikuko carefully took the necklace out of the box and put it around Bunny's neck. "Now, it's perfect. I'm glad that Mamoru makes you so happy. He seems like a good man; those are rare."

Bunny had to swallow hard. Until now, she had always thought her parents didn't like Mamoru, especially her father who kept him at a distance. She never expected such words from her mother. "You like him?"

Ikuko gently stroked her arm. "Of course, Daddy likes him too. He worries when you're not feeling well, he's grounded, and he takes care of you. Daddy  just can't accept that you're not his little girl anymore and that you'll probably leave our nest soon."

At those words, Bunny felt a flutter in her stomach. Her parents liked Mamoru. She hugged her mother briefly. Kenji knocked and opened the door slightly. "Bunny, your visitor is here."

"Thanks, Dad. Wait downstairs with him, I'll be ready in a moment." Ikuko fixed the last strands that had come loose and then hurried downstairs. Bunny remained seated for a moment; she was very nervous. She had never been so dressed up before. Would Mamoru like what he was about to see? Slowly, she slipped into her shoes.

Mamoru stood silently in the hallway, facing Kenji. There was a certain tension between the two men. Mamoru held a huge bouquet of red roses in his hand. When they heard footsteps, both men turned their heads towards the stairs. Ikuko came down slowly, smiling at both of them. "She'll be down in a moment. Kenji, you could have offered Mamoru something to drink," she scolded her husband. Then she walked up to Mamoru, giving him a smile. It didn't take long before Bunny descended the steps. Mamoru was left breathless. She looked stunning; she was no longer the little girl he had met almost five years ago. She had become an enchanting young woman, radiating towards him. When she reached the bottom, she turned around once in a circle.

"Do you take me like this?" she asked, blinking at Mamoru. He was in awe, "Bunny, you look fantastic," he said, handing her the flowers. Bunny beamed from ear to ear, "Thank you. Here, Dad, please put these in water. We have to leave," she trilled, handing the roses to her father, then linked her arm with Mamoru's and let him lead her to the car.

The restaurant Mamoru drove to was in an upscale neighborhood, a place Bunny had never been to before. One villa followed another, expensive cars parked in the driveways, as well as in the parking lot. Bunny was very excited, but she also felt out of place here. A waiter led them to a table and brought them the menu. Bunny flipped through the pages but then backtracked. "Mamoru, there are only three menus here, and no prices," she whispered, shocked. Mamoru grinned at her and briefly explained that she just had to choose a menu.

Another waiter arrived promptly. "Would you like some wine with your meal?"

"Yes, please. I'll take the recommendation for menu two," Mamoru said, handing back the menu.

"Um... I'll have the same," Bunny said quickly.

Both were served a delicious four-course menu, and the waiter kept refilling their wine glasses whenever they were almost empty. They chatted animatedly about everything and anything. Mamoru mentioned that he would have some time off soon and would like to go away for a few days with Bunny. Bunny was delighted and imagined lying on the beach together. The food was the most delicious Bunny had ever tasted, and she wished she could order everything again. However, she also noticed that the wine was starting to get to her head. By now, they had reached dessert.